Thanks to AF for sending word and photos – props to the firefighters!

16th and Eastern Ave, NE:

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Props to the firefighters – a reader writes:

The incredibly fabulous and efficient police/fire department got there and were so quick in getting it out, by the time I grabbed my camera, I was able to grab a few shots of the tail end of the event. It was 10:30-ish, or maybe even 11, and we had just gone to bed when I heard two “pwump” sounds then our bedroom was glowing in orange. I sat up and looked out the window and saw a car was completely engulfed. Rather unnerving…

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Photo by PoPville reader LP

WMATA updates last night’s metro fire in Silver Spring:

The investigation into the cause of last night’s Red Line fire is ongoing. While Metro has not yet identified the root cause of the fire, investigators have eliminated track conditions as a contributing factor.

The investigation is focused at this time on the rail car — a 1000-series car that is the oldest type in the fleet and scheduled for retirement with the arrival of the new 7000-series rail cars next year.

As a preliminary matter, investigators are looking at the way the electrical arc-flashing occurred beneath the car, which suggests possible unintended contact between a metal-shielded hose under the train, and power cables. Careful examination of the rail car is expected to require several days, as its under-car equipment suffered damage from the fire.

In addition to determining the root cause, the investigation will review all aspects of the operation of the incident train yesterday, including the offloading of passengers and the train’s movement beyond Takoma Station.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

“Dear PoPville,

I’m on the roof of my Bloomingdale rowhouse and am seeing black billowing smoke around what looks like is northwest of the Capitol. Nothing on DC Fire’s twitter feed. Any idea what’s going on?”

Thanks to a reader for sending these shots of a car fire on the Mall yesterday afternoon around 5:30pm. It took place by 15th Street, SW by the Washington Monument. Props to the firefighters for getting it out quickly.

Alley between the 1400 block of Columbia and Irving St, NW

Dear PoPville,

Since the construction staging site went up in the alleyway between columbia and irving at the 1400 block in late august to early september 2012 there has been a homeless man living under the stairs of the condemned church. He is a hoarder and had managed to amass a huge pile of stuff in and around the stairs. Basically kept to himself, was just an eyesore and made us nervous.

However, the past few weeks he has set 3 fires. The first got out of control and spread into the church, due to all of the hoarded stuff in the alleyway. We cleaned out the alleyway and didn’t come back for a week, when i smelled the second fire. I am writing to you at 2 AM early Thursday, right after the 3rd fire has been put out. I have been told to call 911 immediately when I see him, but since that doesn’t seem to work, I was wondering what else can be done on my part to take care of this problem.

Yes, I am sympathetic to his plight but he is putting our lives at risks by setting these fires. In addition, I have been the one to smell it first due to our proximity to the fires and now I’m fearing for my safety.

Any and all suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

Perhaps the DC Mental Health Mobile Response Team could intervene:

Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES): 202-673-9319 (24hrs, 7 days per week)
Mobile Crisis Services (MCS): 202-673-9300 (9am -1am, 7 days per week)
Homeless Outreach Program (HOP): 202-673-9124 (9am -8pm , M-F)

Thanks to all who’ve sent emails and tweets. The photo above was sent by PM around 8:50 pm:

“4 fire trucks, 6-8 cop cars blocking off 14st”

@ShermanAve_DC tweeted around 9:00pm:

“Major police activity at #dcusa mall. 14th st closed. Officer said gas leak maybe fire”

More info as it becomes available.

Photo via @Ardvaark

@IAFF36 tweets around 8:15pm:

“WORKING FIRE. 3711 14th St NW. Vacant boarding house. #DCFD on the scene.”

and around 8:50pm:

“Update. 14th St NW. The old C&K Hotel. Fire on all floors. Injured firefighter reported. 1 victim self rescued.”

And around 9:10pm:

“Final update. C&K Hotel. 3711 14 ST. NW. Fire under control. Searches negative.”

Photo via @quincyreba

Crazy photo from a reader:

“The wall of a house in the 500 block of Q St NW fell down last night. Don’t know any of the details, but the extent of the collapse is pretty remarkable.”

@IAFF36 had reported:

“Structural Collapse – 517 Q St NW – 2-story detached house, significant collapse of side of house, SpOps enroute #dcfd”

Thankfully, it doesn’t seem anyone was injured.

Mama Ayesha’s is located at 1967 Calvert Street, NW. Thanks to MS for sending the photos. More info as it becomes available.

11th and U Street, NW

A reader sends:

“I don’t have any details, but this car is outside Bohemian Caverns on U and is pretty fried.”

A readers sends word of the fire and the photo above around 1:45pm.

@IAFF36 updates:

“Update Final – 1534 T St NW – 3 story rowhouse, fire on 2nd fl deck, extinguished, no inj; 50+ FFs, fire under control <15 min”

Nice work DCFD!

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NBC Washington reports:

“Calls came in around 2 a.m. that flames were coming from the roof of Hank’s Oyster Bar, also known as Hank’s On The Hill, at 633 Pennsylvania Ave. in Southeast.”

Hank’s opened in the former Ba Bay space in July ’12.

2531 Sherman Ave, NW

Very cool:

@DCPoliceDept tweets:

“4D Local Fire @ 1400 Block of Quincy Street NW; both lanes on the 3800 Block of 14th Street NW will be closed.”

@amaewalts tweets the photo above and writes:

“14th blocked off with fire trucks at Derby”

@Aardvark tweets:

“Fire in row house on Quincy Street, back behind @RedDerby!”